Pro Terps Update: 6/1/17

The Maryland Terrapins are headed to the NCAA Tournament, and open the Winston-Salem regional Friday at 2 p.m. against West Virginia. While the Terps are looking to keep their season going, many former Terps are hitting their strides as the MLB and MiLB seasons head into the summer months.

LHP Brett Cecil, the only Terp currently int he majors, has had an up-and-down year since leaving Toronto to sign a four year $30.5 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals over the winter. The middle reliever experienced a rough stretch during which he let up an earned run in four straight appearances from May 7 to May 12. He’s settled down since then, and has not allowed an earned run in any of his last six outings. He is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 26 appearances.

RHP Mike Shawaryn continues to impress for the Class-A Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox). In his last five starts, he has struck out 48 batters in 30 innings, posting a solid 3.30 ERA in that span. Overall, the former Maryland ace is 3-2 with a 3.88 ERA and 78 strikeouts (most in the South Atlantic League) to just 13 walks. Opponents are hitting just .222 against him so far this season.

LHP Adam Kolarek has also been turning heads, but in a relief role. The Baltimore native is 1-2 on the season with an outstanding 1.11 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched for the Triple-A Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays). He has let up just one earned run since April 22.

2B Brandon Lowe continues to rake in what has been a breakout year in the Class-A Advanced Florida State League. The Charlotte Stone Crabs (Tampa Bay Rays) infielder has hit 4 homers in his last 7 games. He leads the Florida State League in slugging percentage (.610), on-base percentage (.437) and ranks third in average (.333). He is the only qualified hitter in the league with an OPS (1.047) north of 1.000. His 17 doubles and seven homers this season have already surpassed last season’s totals of 15 and five, respectively, which took him more than twice as many games as he has played this year.

A pair of Minnesota Twins farmhands have excelled to this point in the season. LHP Alex Robinson capped off a fantastic month of May Wednesday night with a scoreless inning during which he struck out two batters. Overall in May, Robinson went 0-1 with a 1.35 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 13.1 innings pitched. The Class-A Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins) southpaw is 1-2 with 31 strikeouts and a 2.86 ERA in 22 innings this season.

Terps’ reliever Jamal Wade’s brother and former Maryland OF LaMonte Wade continues to put up impressive numbers for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts (Minnesota Twins). Despite the fact that he has hit just .208 in his last 13 contests, Wade is still putting up a slash line of .294/.420/.418 with 4 homers, 5 stolen bases, 28 runs scored, 22 RBIs, and an .838 OPS. He’s been especially patient this season at the plate, as his on-base percentage ranks third in the Southern League, and his 34 walks rank second.

While Wade has enjoyed success at the plate, former teammate 3B Jose Cuas has had a difficult time putting the bat on the ball with the Class-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee Brewers) all season. He owns a .202/.322/.380 slash line with 3 homers, 10 RBIs, 18 runs scored, and 5 stolen bases.

Class-A Lakewood Blue Claws (Philadelphia Phillies) LHP Zach Morris has hit a rough patch in his 2017 campaign. He has allowed seven earned runs over his last four appearances, raising his season ERA to a robust 6.23. The Class-A reliever is 2-2 with a troubling 0.93 strikeout to walk ratio (14 Ks to 15 BBs). Opponents are batting .311 against him.

LHP Jake Drossner of the Rookie League Helena Brewers (Milwaukee Brewers) made just one appearance this season, with the Class-A Timber Rattlers, before hitting the disabled list. RHP Jake Stinnett of the Double-A Tennessee Smokies (Chicago Cubs) has not pitched yet this season due to injuries. LHP Jimmy Reed had an 8.10 ERA in three games before being placed on the DL on April 17. He was released by the Springfield Cardinals (Double-A) on May 12.